Posted in Motorcycle Safety,Personal Injury on September 5, 2016
Man Seriously Injured after Being Struck by Pickup Truck in Warren County
A 38-year-old man from Bowling Green was traveling north on Louisville Road on his moped early Sunday when he was struck from behind by a pickup truck.
According to WSMV.com, the accident caused him to be ejected from the moped and suffer serious injuries. Police say he wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. The man was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment and then flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to receive additional treatment for serious injuries.
The 56-year-old driver of the pickup truck and his passenger weren’t injured during the accident. Police in Warren County are investigating the accident to determine its cause.
Safety Tips for Scooters and Mopeds
Scooters and mopeds are economical ways to get around town, but like motorcycles, they can put riders at risk due to the lack of protection they offer in the event of an accident. Mopeds are common in urban and metropolitan areas, but riding them in any location can be dangerous when drivers aren’t fully prepared for the unique risks they might face while they’re on the road.
Do your best to always follow these tips if you ride a scooter, motorcycle, bicycle, or moped:
Helmets are the most important thing anyone on two wheels can wear to protect themselves in the event of an accident. Although mopeds generally have much lower top speeds than motorcycles, they reach speeds that are high enough to result in serious and fatal injuries if riders aren’t wearing helmets. When choosing a helmet, make sure it complies with state regulations and fully protects your head.
Traveling on two wheels can make you very difficult for other drivers to see. Drivers of passenger vehicles and big trucks are conditioned to look out for other passenger vehicles and trucks—not people on bicycles, mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles. Always wear brightly-colored riding gear when you head out on the roadway to improve your visibility and turn on your headlight when riding at night, at dawn, or during inclement weather.
Riding a moped or scooter can sometimes give riders a false sense of security, especially if they’re used to traveling at low speeds or only riding in their neighborhoods or near their homes. However, regardless of the vehicle you use or where you’re at, traveling on a public roadway means you have to use turn signals and be aware of the presence of other vehicles. Always signal your intention to turn and check your mirrors for other cars before turning, merging, or changing lanes whether you’re in a residential area or on a busy highway.
Riding on two wheels not only makes you more vulnerable to car accidents, it also increases your vulnerability to accidents caused by road defects and hazards. Always keep an eye out for things like potholes, oil patches, large rocks and branches, and even loose gravel. In addition, you should also reduce your speed and be more cautious when riding during or after rainstorms, snowstorms, and ice storms.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys know that people who travel, commute, or get around town on two wheels face unique risks every time they head out on the roadway. When riders focus on safety, they can significantly reduce their chances of being involved in accidents. However, we also know that riders can’t predict the behavior of other motorists, and sometimes careless drivers cause accidents that seriously injure people who ride mopeds, scooters, bicycles, and motorcycles.
If you or someone you know was seriously hurt in a moped or motorcycle accident, our legal team may be able to help you recover compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. To find out how we can assist you during this time, dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form. We have two decades of combined experience building strong cases for people like you, and we’re ready to put that experience to work on your behalf.
